Research published on January 29, 2025, reveals that genetic diversity in animals and plants has declined globally over the past three decades, with two-thirds of the studied populations experiencing this decline.

Major causes of this genetic diversity loss include habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and new diseases, which align with the reasons behind overall population declines.

Interestingly, ecological disturbances were noted in 65% of the studied populations, yet genetic diversity loss was also observed in populations without reported disturbances, indicating a broader biodiversity crisis.

Co-author Catherine Grueber from the University of Sydney pointed out that the decline in genetic diversity is evident even in species not classified as at risk.

An illustrative case is the Florida panther, which benefited from the introduction of eight female panthers from Texas, leading to a significant population increase and improved genetic diversity over 20 years.

Conservation strategies that connect isolated populations can help maintain or restore genetic diversity, enhancing species resilience.

The comprehensive analysis, which examined data from 628 species collected between 1985 and 2019, highlighted the most significant losses in genetic variation among birds and mammals.

Genetic diversity is crucial as it enables populations to survive challenges such as diseases and climate changes by allowing individuals with advantageous traits to thrive and reproduce.

Higher genetic diversity enhances a species' ability to cope with environmental changes, thereby increasing their chances of survival against diseases and climate shifts.

Ecologist Stuart Pimm from Duke University stressed the importance of reconnecting isolated populations to mitigate the effects of genetic decline.

In Scandinavia, initiatives like supplementary feeding of arctic foxes and the removal of red foxes have successfully increased genetic diversity in arctic fox populations.

The conservation of genetic diversity remains a key goal from the biodiversity conference Cop15 held in 2022, which aims to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.